Chapter 1

Elara's P.O.V

"Elara, my dear… What happened? Orion finally returned—shouldn't you be happily preparing for the marking ceremony and become his mate? Why would you want to come home instead?"

My tears were flowing before I knew it when I heard my father's voice of concern.

After all, every member in the Bright Moon Pack and the Red Moon Pack were well aware that I loved Orion very much.

Before he left on a top-secret mission, he told me to wait for his return, after which he would mark me.

Even though there was no word from him for three years, I was steadfast as I waited for him, and prayed to the Moon Goddess for him to be safe.

What I couldn't have known was that the secret mission he went on—which he used as an excuse to stay out of touch—was a big fat lie that deceived everyone.

Even though I bit my lip to not cry out loud, my father still noticed my distress and sighed.

"It's alright," he assured me mildly. "You're my daughter. I'd never let you get hurt—and you have my support whatever you want to do."

"Just sort things out with the Bright Moon Pack, and I'll send my Beta in a couple of days."

And with that, he hung up.

I had bitten my lip so hard, I could taste blood in my own mouth.

However, I seemed not to notice, as the conversation between Orion and his fellow hunters that I overheard earlier was playing on loop in my mind.

It felt like countless thorns puncturing my skin and cutting into my heart, leaving my limbs spasming in pain and suffocating.

I kept biting my lip anyway, not quite believing that Orion had already cheated on me three years ago.

The so-called secret mission he undertook was to witness the birth of the pup he had with another woman, and being there as the pup grew.

I felt like a joke, just thinking about how I was worried yet hopeful for over a thousand days, and the countless nights I cried myself to sleep.

While I was left confused and helpless, Orion entered our bedroom to find my lip bleeding freely.

He hurried to me, concerned as he gathered me in his arms and coaxed me gently, "What's wrong, Elara? Open your mouth!"

There was only me in his green gaze, just like the time before we parted.

He really loved me—I could tell that much from his eyes.

And yet, this werewolf that loved me had betrayed my love.

Reality was at once ironic and paradoxical, was it not?

I pursed my lips, locking my phone screen as I told him, "I'm alright. Just had a nightmare of you dumping me."

"What are you thinking? There's no way that'd happen," he said, lovingly kissing my brow. "You've always wanted pyrogem jewelry, didn't you? I've already had a set made—we will check them out tomorrow."

"You should wear it during our marking ceremony—you'd be the most beautiful bride who ever lived."

Though Orion put it as if he was looking forward to our marking ceremony, the thought that he had already been with another woman left me disgusted.

As I freed myself from his embrace, I said, "I don't want it anymore."

Orion did a double take, but soon wrapped his arms around my waist and gave me a peck on my cheek. "It's alright, Elara. I love you—I'd give you anything you want. All I want is for you to be my happy bride."

Hearing that, I turned and looked him straight in the eyes. "Really? Then I want you to promise to never lie to me."

Orion hesitated but soon smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'd never lie to my wife."

He really had a stout heart, lying to me even now!

Still, just as I was about to question him, there was a sudden knock on the door, and we turned to find a woman standing at the doorway, tearful as she held a two-year old pup in his arms, "I'm sorry, Orion—Emery kept crying for daddy, I couldn't get him to stop…"